call 1 of 2

verb

ˈkȯl How to pronounce call (audio)
Definition of callnext
1
as in to shout
to speak so as to be heard at a distance we could hear someone calling for help from the other side of the wall

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2
as in to dial
to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency

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3
as in to visit
to make a brief visit the hospital posts the hours during which friends and relatives may call

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4
as in to cancel
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the game was called on account of rain

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5
as in to consider
to think of in a particular way I wouldn't quite call that cheating, but it's not entirely ethical either

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6
as in to cry
to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

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7
as in to summon
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command called all the night workers in for a meeting

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8
as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement let's call that five feet for now, and we'll measure it out later

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9
as in to ask
to demand or request the presence or service of rushed to call a tow truck operator when the car broke down

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10
as in to name
to give a name to we've decided to call the kitten "Molly"

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11
as in to order
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the union president is refusing to call a strike

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12
as in to predict
to tell of or describe beforehand somehow the political pundit called the race results within a mere percentage point

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call

2 of 2

noun

1
as in cry
a natural vocal sound made by an animal a ranger who could immediately identify the call of every creature in the forest

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2
as in visit
a coming to see another briefly for social or business reasons we paid a call on the new neighbors the day after they moved in

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3
as in message
a communication by telephone give me a call as soon as you arrive, so I'll know you got there safely

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4
as in request
an act or instance of asking for information put out a call for background information about the suspect

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5
as in right
an entitlement to something you have no call to insult people

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6
as in decision
a position arrived at after consideration I told you my preference for a cruise destination, but it's your call

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7
as in demand
the state of being sought after especially for purchase there's not much call for woodstoves in this part of the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word call different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of call are cite, convene, convoke, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

When can cite be used instead of call?

The words cite and call are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

How do convene and convoke relate to one another, in the sense of call?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

Where would convoke be a reasonable alternative to call?

The meanings of convoke and call largely overlap; however, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When is muster a more appropriate choice than call?

In some situations, the words muster and call are roughly equivalent. However, muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

In what contexts can summon take the place of call?

Although the words summon and call have much in common, summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of call
Verb
Spain this month experienced broad protests against high rents and a ​lack of housing, which prompted the government to call a snap election. — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026 Then, on Thursday, her fifth-grade son called from Silver Rail Elementary School. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
Police respond within minutes The first 911 call came early in the afternoon from someone outside the school who reported being shot at by someone with a long gun, the police chief said. — Haven Daley, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Morgan Stanley went to $195 from $200 and reiterated its sell call. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
  1. shout
  2. dial
  3. visit
  4. cancel
  5. consider
  6. cry
  7. summon
  8. estimate
Verb
  • Lil’ Randy shouts repeatedly as he is hauled off, a great ending to a pretty great episode.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The drunk-and-disorderly charge is linked to a December incident, in which Minton is accused of shouting and cursing at patrons of a tattoo studio in Hickory, court records show.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of shout
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni didn’t want to burn a timeout and let the Panthers dial up a play that paved the way to points.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon dialed up more blitzes and two-high safety coverages in the second half, switching from a first-half strategy that was full of single-high and some three-man rushes.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of dial
Verb
  • The soldiers, aviation technicians with the Salvandoran army, were victims of a gang ambush on Sunday in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, east of Port-au-Prince, while on their way back to camp after visiting a local supermarket.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Harry and Meghan, who remain private citizens and not working royals, made their first joint public appearance last week in Nottingham, visiting community organizations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • Classes, activities and athletic events across Bend-La Pine Schools are canceled tomorrow, the district announced.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Ossoff last year also pressed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for canceling public health and environmental grants.
    — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • Legislators in at least 30 states have considered pricing bills this year, including measures addressing algorithmic and personalized pricing, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Changing expectations or considering proposals without comparable information undermines confidence in both the process and its recommendations.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of consider
Verb
  • Among them were a parent at her daughter’s school who recognized her on account of her voice alone and a dad on an airplane whose baby had been crying non-stop for over an hour.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Another girl cried non-stop—possibly from fear and nervousness rather than sorrow.
    — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • Video footage of that night was captured by Lopez’s younger sister, who was outside with her brother smoking on the front lawn of their parents’ home when the two officers arrived and summoned Lopez out into the street, according to Kremer.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Eleven sailors were missing at sea on Tuesday from a ship sunk by a drone attack off Bulgaria, possibly the second deadly sinking of a cargo vessel in the area in a week, prompting Bulgaria to summon Russia’s ambassador.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of summon
Verb
  • Within an hour, the incident was estimated at about 35 acres, including various spot fires that erupted as winds pushed the flames forward.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • And Gartner estimates that 80% of neocloud providers will cease independent operations by 2030 because their revenues won’t cover their outgoings.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of estimate

Phrases Containing call

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calisthenics
call
callant
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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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